Understanding the Differences
In the United States, universities typically offer courses in either semester or quarter systems. The number of credit hours earned in each system varies, making it challenging to compare academic performance accurately when applying to medical school through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).
- Semester System: A semester typically lasts 14-16 weeks and grants 1-4 semester hours per course.
- Quarter System: A quarter lasts 10-12 weeks and grants 1-3 quarter units per course.
Conversion Formula
To convert semester hours to quarter units, multiply the semester hours by 1.5:
Quarter Units = Semester Hours x 1.5
Table 1: Semester Hours to Quarter Units Conversion Table
| Semester Hours | Quarter Units |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.5 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 3 | 4.5 |
| 4 | 6 |
| 5 | 7.5 |
Example
If you earned 6 semester hours in a course under the semester system, you would receive 9 quarter units in the quarter system:
Quarter Units = 6 semester hours x 1.5 = 9 quarter units
AMCAS Calculations
AMCAS uses the following formula to convert semester hours to quarter units for the calculation of the overall GPA:
Quarter Hours = (Semester Hours x 1.5) + 4
The additional 4 units represent the mandatory academic portion of the AMCAS application.
Table 2: AMCAS Quarter Hour Conversion
| Semester Hours | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| 1 | 5 |
| 2 | 7 |
| 3 | 9 |
| 4 | 11 |
| 5 | 13 |
Implications for AMCAS Applicants
Understanding the conversion between semester hours and quarter units is crucial for AMCAS applicants. It ensures that your academic performance is accurately represented and comparable to other applicants.
- Semester System Applicants: If you attend a university on the semester system, you will need to convert your semester hours to quarter units using the formula provided.
- Quarter System Applicants: Your quarter units will be directly reported to AMCAS without any conversion necessary.
Exceptions
In some cases, AMCAS may request additional information or documentation to verify the conversion of semester hours to quarter units. This is typically required when the applicant’s transcript does not clearly indicate the conversion that was used.
Table 3: Exceptions to Quarter Hour Conversion
| Semester Hours | Quarter Hours | Exception |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | Half-semester course |
| 3 | 4 | Quarter-semester course |
| 2 | 2 | Community college course |
Resources
Conclusion
Converting semester hours to quarter units for AMCAS applications is an essential step in the application process. By understanding the conversion formula and potential exceptions, applicants can ensure that their academic performance is accurately represented and comparable to other applicants.
